Live Vedanta

Chinmaya Mission Niagara

A podcast on high thinking and happy living with Vivek Gupta.

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328 episodes
Updated April 23

Episodes328

Newest first

April 23 · 2 min
❤️ A Passion for Peace
Inspired by this season of the podcast and seeking an opportunity for deep and authentic connection in person? Join Vivekji and our other guides this June in a special reflective retreat designed for ages 17-40 years.
April 22 · 15 min
🧵 Creator Holds all Creation | Essential Verse 24
In Chapter 7, Verse 7 of the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna inspires us to be optimistic and align our vision with Divinity, the source and goal of all existence. Just as pearls are strung together, all creation is held by the Creator—seen only when our outer sight is transformed into inner insight through disciplined discipleship.
April 15 · 15 min
💗 Be a Rare Seeker | Essential Verse 23
Transitioning from the individual to the Divine, Chapter 7, Verse 3 of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita centers on internalization—where knowledge matures into wisdom. Shri Krishna teaches that seekers must quiet the mind, purify through responsibility, and strive toward Self-realization to experience lasting Peace and contentment.
April 8 · 13 min
♻️ Divine Efforts are Never Wasted | Essential Verse 22
In response to Arjuna’s concern, Shri Krishna assures that no sincere spiritual effort is ever wasted. Even if Self-realization isn’t achieved in this lifetime, we are reborn into conditions—of purity, prosperity, or wisdom—that nurture continued evolution toward Enlightenment. In this episode, we're exploring Chapter 6, Verse 40 of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.
April 1 · 16 min
🧘🏽 Practice Steadies the Wandering Mind | Essential Verse 21
Shifting focus to the challenge of mind discipline, Shri Krishna compassionately addresses Arjuna's hesitation about contemplation in Chapter 6, Verse 35. Through prioritization, steady practice, and selfless associations, our mind becomes balanced and focused—ultimately guiding us to Self rediscovery.
March 25 · 18 min
📿 Contemplation Brings Balance | Essential Verse 20
In Chapter 6, Verse 9 of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna explains the power of contemplation, which brings balance and equanimity, allowing us to see all beings equally. By practicing inner peace, detachment, and responding to all experiences with understanding, we transcend likes and dislikes and engage with everyone as a reflection of the Divine.
March 17 · 15 min
🫶🏽 Raising Mind with Intellect | Essential Verse 19
The theme of Chapter 6 of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is delight, and in Chapter 6, Verse 5, Shri Krishna teaches the practice of contemplation to realize we are uncaused happiness. By integrating our mind and intellect through self-effort, we can transcend the ego, recognize Divinity in all, and become our own best friend.
March 4 · 16 min
📈 Pleasure is Pain | Essential Verse 18
Let's dive in to Essential Verse 18 of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. In Chapter 5, Verse 22, Shri Krishna explains that sense pleasures are temporary and become the seat of pain. By following the wise, affirming our willpower, and reducing sensory indulgences, we invest in long-term Peace and lasting Joy.
February 25 · 14 min
☮️ Independence Reveals Equality | Essential Verse 17
Shri Krishna reveals the sign of one who has practiced the path to Self-knowledge: humility and the vision of equality. By seeing beyond names and forms and focusing on the essence—the Creator in all—we treat everyone equally and live anchored in the Truth. This is Essential Verse 17: Chapter 5, Verse 18.
February 11 · 15 min
🙏🏼 Be Divine | Essential Verse 16
We're exploring the 16th essential verse from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. In Chapter 5, Verse 17, Shri Krishna shares the plan for contemplation, forming the seed for Chapter 6. By steadily listening to the Truth, sincerely reflecting, and contemplating with strength, we shift from ego to Spirit and realize our nature as Divinity—Being Joyful and Serene beyond the purest.
February 4 · 16 min
🫴🏼 Self-Development Leads to Oneness | Essential Verse 15
On this season of Live Vedanta, we're unpacking the 70 verses at the heart of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. Chapter 5, Verse 7 centers on the theme of doershiplessness, deepening the focus on Karma Yoga and self-development. By purifying the mind, overcoming the ego and senses, and seeing the Spirit in all beings, we act dynamically and freely, unbound by our actions while uplifting ourselves and others.
January 28 · 14 min
🧠 Self-Knowledge Surpasses All Else | Essential Verse 14
In Chapter 4, Verse 38, Shri Krishna reveals the power of true knowledge, teaching that only knowledge of the Spirit can purify us and dissolve ignorance about who we are and what life is. By prioritizing self-development, we shift from "doing" for joy to "Being" Joy, allowing understanding to arise naturally.
January 21 · 14 min
📓 Discipline Reveals the True Self | Essential Verse 13
In Chapter 4, Verse 34, Shri Krishna shares how to attain the fullest knowledge by respecting, loving, and revering those who know Divinity. Through full prostration, inquiry, and service, and by actively practicing disciplines, a true guide helps make the once inaccessible knowledge of the Self accessible to us.
January 13 · 13 min
🛣️ Personality Shapes Our Peace Path | Essential Verse 12
In Chapter 4, Verse 13 of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna emphasizes the importance of knowing ourselves through Divinity’s classification of four personality colors. By aligning our propensity (personality) and projectivity (actions), we move toward Peace and realize the Presence beyond them, while misalignment leads to inefficiency.
January 9 · 16 min
⚖️ Divinity Protects, Corrects, Restores Us | Essential Verse 11
On Essential Love, we're unfolding the 70 core verses of the Bhagavad Gita. Chapter 4, Verse 8 of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita focuses on the theme of deservershiplessness, as Shri Krishna shares that the Divine manifests—not through birth, but as needed—to protect the virtuous, correct the vicious, and restore righteousness. By being available to Divinity, just as Divinity is always available to us, we align with the timeless tradition of teachers and students.
Dec 30, 2025 · 13 min
😈 Our Greatest Enemies | Essential Verse 10
In Chapter 3, Verse 37, Shri Krishna explains the nature of sin and the inner forces—like desire and anger—that drive us to act against our will. These vices steal our inner peace and block right action, reminding us that to overcome outer enemies, we must first conquer our inner enemies through self-love.
Dec 24, 2025 · 14 min
🌟 Offer Everything to the Divine | Essential Verse 9
Shri Krishna teaches how to cultivate quietude of mind by offering all actions, thoughts, and even our individuality to the Divine. By letting go of past regrets, calming present excitements, and planning for the future with intention, we align with Divinity and find lasting inner peace. Join us to unlock Essential Verse 9 (Chapter 3, Verse 30)!
Dec 16, 2025 · 13 min
💯 Live by the Highest Standards | Essential Verse 8
In Chapter 3, Verse 21 of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna deepens the teaching on right action by highlighting the importance of choosing the right role models. Great personalities—who think long-term, are inclusive, and live with Presence—inspire us to evolve from good to great to Divine, becoming peaceful within and prosperous without.
Dec 11, 2025 · 12 min
⛰️ Dedication Leads to Selfless Living | Essential Verse 7
Chapter 3, Verse 9 of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita explores the theme of dedication, as Shri Krishna explains that our attitude in action matters just as much as our intention. By engaging in selfless and dedicated actions, we dissolve the ego and sense of separation, experiencing true freedom—while selfish actions only deepen our limitations.
Dec 2, 2025 · 14 min
🕊️ True Independence Comes From Within | Essential Verse 6
The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is a powerful roadmap -- and on this season, we're exploring its essential verses. On this episode, we explore Chapter 2, Verse 55. Here, Prince Arjuna asks about the experience of a still intellect, and Shri Krishna explains that it comes from fulfilling one's responsibilities with dedication. By renouncing all desires, the ego dissolves into the Spirit, leading to contentment, completeness, and the experience of Independent Joy.

Live Vedanta

❤️ A Passion for Peace

🧵 Creator Holds all Creation | Essential Verse 24

💗 Be a Rare Seeker | Essential Verse 23

♻️ Divine Efforts are Never Wasted | Essential Verse 22

🧘🏽 Practice Steadies the Wandering Mind | Essential Verse 21

📿 Contemplation Brings Balance | Essential Verse 20

🫶🏽 Raising Mind with Intellect | Essential Verse 19

📈 Pleasure is Pain | Essential Verse 18

☮️ Independence Reveals Equality | Essential Verse 17

🙏🏼 Be Divine | Essential Verse 16

🫴🏼 Self-Development Leads to Oneness | Essential Verse 15

🧠 Self-Knowledge Surpasses All Else | Essential Verse 14

📓 Discipline Reveals the True Self | Essential Verse 13

🛣️ Personality Shapes Our Peace Path | Essential Verse 12

⚖️ Divinity Protects, Corrects, Restores Us | Essential Verse 11

😈 Our Greatest Enemies | Essential Verse 10

🌟 Offer Everything to the Divine | Essential Verse 9

💯 Live by the Highest Standards | Essential Verse 8

⛰️ Dedication Leads to Selfless Living | Essential Verse 7

🕊️ True Independence Comes From Within | Essential Verse 6